Windows 7, Server 2008, and Exchange 2010 End of Life

The End of Life date for Windows 7, Server 2008, and Exchange 2010 has been set by Microsoft for January 14, 2020. After that date, Microsoft will no longer support those products or publish updates or patches. There are still many organizations that have these products in use – it is vital that those organizations plan for the migration of data and services off of the expiring products in order to ensure the security of the organization and to remain compliant with a variety of governmental and organizational standards.

Windows 7 End of Life

If you are still using Windows 7 in your environment we strongly recommend replacing or upgrading your systems to Windows 10. End-user systems, such as Windows desktop Operating Systems are most often the entry point for viruses and exploits. Once Windows 7 reaches the end of life date Microsoft will no longer patch any newly discovered bugs or security flaws. Continuing to use Windows 7 beyond Jan 14, 2020, puts your organization at risk. If you use Windows 7 after Jan 14, 2020, to process credit cards, access financial data, or work with medical records you will be violating compliance standards such as PCI, SOX, HIPAA, and others.

Server 2008 End of Life

Many organizations are still running Server 2008 or Server 2008 R2 in their environment. We recommend replacing those servers with Server 2016 on-premise or in the cloud. These servers are used for file and printer shares, DHCP, DNC, or even Active Directory. As with Windows 7, continuing to use Server 2008 puts you at risk for viruses and exploits. Besides these risks, you will be unable to receive support from Microsoft for any Server 2008 related issues, should a need arise. If your Server 2008 servers are used to store financial or medical files or run applications or databases that contain financial or medical data, then using Server 2008 after they reach End of Life will cause compliance violations.

Exchange 2010 End of Life

If your organization is still running Exchange 2010 we strongly recommend you consider migrating your email to Office 365. Email is a fundamental part of any organization’s communications and operations. Continuing to run Exchange 2010 after Jan 14, 2020, puts your organization at risk of having your email platform exploited. Office 365 offers a number of additional features beyond email, including advanced security features, ensuring that your email platform remains secure and compliant.

Alliance Technologies Can Help

If you are using any of these products, Alliance Technologies can help you with the migration of data, applications, and services from Windows 7, Server 2008, or Exchange 2010 to Windows 10, Server 2016 (on-premise or in the cloud) and to Office 365 or Exchange 2016. We offer cost-effective solutions that ensure a smooth transition, with minimal downtime. We also offer Windows 10 training for end-users and administration training for Server 2016, Office 365, and Exchange 2016 after the migration is complete. If you are interested in learning more about our migration services please email [email protected], call (314) 219-7887, or use the contact form.